International Adoption Procedures in Turkey

Disclaimer:  The information in this circular relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is provided for general information only. Questions involving interpretation of specific foreign laws should be addressed to foreign legal counsel.

Please Note: 

For Turkish Adoption Cases:  According to recent amendments to the Turkish Civil Code, Section 305, the adoptive parents must care and provide education for the child for at least one-year before an adoption can be finalized. To facilitate this one-year period, a Child Care Contract is signed between the prospective adoptive parents and the Director of Social Services & Child Protection Agency in the related city.  Under Turkish law, the Director of Social Services and Child Protection is the legal guardian of the child and remains the legal guardian until the adoption is finalized. 

A visa cannot be issued before the probation period is over since a final adoption hasn't completed yet and Turkish law doesn't allow the chıld to be taken out of the country for adoption during that period. 

Under US immigration law, an IR-3 (orphan adopted abroad by U.S. citizen) visa can not be issued unless/until there has been a full and final adoption, and an IR-4 (orphan to be adopted in U.S. by U.S. citizen) visa can not be issued unless/until the prospective adoptive parents have been granted legal custody of the child for purposes of emigration and adoption abroad. 

For Iranian Adoption Cases:  The American Embassy in Turkey has jurisdiction over homeless Iranian cases.  If child is adopted in Iran, adoptive parents must obtain new birth certificate (shenasname) which reflects child’s new last name, father’s and mother’s name.  Immigrant visa can not be issued without birth records.  Although some adoptive parents claim that it takes 6 months to obtain the new birth records (shenasname) we have noted that there were  families who could obtain the said document earlier than 6 months. 

Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S. based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adoptive parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located. 

General:  The following is a guide for U.S. citizens who are interested in adopting a child in Turkey and applying for an immigrant visa for the child to come to the United States. This process involves complex Turkish and U.S. legal requirements. U.S. consular officers give each petition careful consideration on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the legal requirements of both countries have been met, for the protection of the prospective adoptive parent(s), the biological parents(s) and the child. Interested U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to contact U.S. consular officials in Turkey before formalizing an adoption agreement to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed which will make it possible for the Embassy to issue a U.S. immigrant visa for the child. 

Availability of Children for Adoption:  Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to orphans:  

• FY-1997: IR-3 immigrant visas issued to Turkey orphans adopted abroad - 0

• IR-4 immigrant visas issued to Turkey orphans adopted in the U.S. - 7
• FY-1998: IR-3 Visas - 1, IR-4 Visas - 0
• FY-1999: IR-3 Visas - 5, IR-4 Visas - 4
• FY-2000: IR-3 Visas - 2, IR-4 Visas - 8
• FY-2001: IR-3 Visas - 1, IR-4 Visas - 3
• FY-2002: IR-3 Visas - 5, IR-4 Visas - 3
• FY-2003: IR-3 Visas - 1, IR-4 Visas - 6

Turkey Adoption Authority:  The government office responsible for adoptions in Turkey is the General Directorate of Social Services and the Child Protection Agency (T.C. Basbakanlik Sosyal Hizmetler ve Cocuk Esirgeme Kurumu Genel Mudurlugu).
Address:
Anafartalar Cad. N: 70 Ulus
Ankara, Turkey
Phone: 90-312-231 9665
Fax: 90-312-231 0650

Web Address: T.C. Basbakanlik Sosyal Hizmetler ve Cocuk Esirgeme Kurumu Genel Mudurlugu  

Turkey Adoption Procedures:  American citizens wishing to adopt children in Turkey may adopt either through a private adoption direct from the parent(s) or through a State authorized agency (orphanage).  

Orphanages are state controlled and follow comprehensive guidelines concerning placement of children.  The second option is by private adoption when an individual or couple find a child and adopt him or her with the consent of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).  Private adoptions tend to be more flexible; however, these seem to cause the adoptive U.S. citizen adoptive parent more difficulties.  

There are many Turkish families resident in Turkey or outside of Turkey who are interested in adopting orphans.  According to current rules and regulations, Turkish families are given preference in adoption of children between the ages of 0-6.  According to the 21st/b section of the “Children’s Right Agreement” every child has right to be raised in his or her own environment, culture and religion.  Therefore, Turkish families are given priority.  The Child Protection Agency requires that at least one of the adoptive parents be a Turkish citizen to adopt an orphan over the age of three.  

If an individual or family locates an orphan through private sources (not through an orphanage) and meets the requirements of the Turkish Civil Code section 305-320 of January 8, 2002 for adoption, the adoption may proceed.  The requirements are: the adoptive parent must be at least 30 years of age; the child must spend 1 year with the adoptive parents(s) under his/her care; the adoptive parent(s) must be at least 18 years older than the adoptive; the couple may adopt together or separately, and the couple should be married for at least five years and must be at least 30 years of age.  

Foreign country nationals who have residency permits to reside in Turkey for more than one year and the Turkish families who are residing out of Turkey can submit their applications directly to the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency.  Foreign country nationals should submit their applications to the authorized institutions at their respective countries. 

Foreign country nationals who are submitting statements to the General Directorate of Social Services & Child Protection Agency to start an adoption procedure should be informed about certain requirements of this procedure.  This is also a requirement of the International Social Service (ISS).  

Adoption process in Turkey is codified by the Turkish Civil Code with sections 305 through 320 and the instructions prepared by the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency on January 8, 2002.

According to the instructions: 

Foreign country nationals should submit their applications to the authorized institutions at their own countries.  On the other hand the legal procedures related to adoption should be completed at both countries at final.  The International Social Service (ISS) prepares the petition and forwards it to the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency in Turkey.  Once the administrative process is completed the families are contacted and invited to Turkey to meet the children eligible to be adopted.  Should the family decide on a child, the legal adoption procedure begins with a care contarct signed by a social worker.   

Adoptive parents must not be over age 40 if they wish to adopt children who are between the ages 0-1.  Parents who are over 40 can adopt older children.  Parents who pass the age limit 40 during the waiting period after submitting their application will be asked to adopt older children.  

Turkish Citizens have priority to adopt in Turkey. Foreign nationals can adopt children who cannot be located in Turkish families or who have medical problems (i.e. birth defects, illnesses that require long term treatment, mental or physical deficiencies).  This is explained in the 21st/b section of the “Children’s Right Agreement” which stipulates “Every child has right to be raised in his or her own environment, culture and religion”.  

Foreign nationals who do not speak Turkish and who are between the ages 30 and 40 may adopt children between the age 0 and 3.  

According to the instructions, adoptive parents must be psychologically and biologically healthy, have a certain level of education and culture and be financially capable of providing for the child.  

Adoptive parents must not have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude and cannot be users of illicit drugs.  

Adoption files are prepared through the International Social Service (ISS) where the foreign country national resides.  Families are observed and interviewed by social workers.  A report is prepared if the family is found qualified by the social workers.  The original report prepared by social workers and its translation along with the financial documentation, medical records and police clearance records should be sent to the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency by the International Social Service (ISS).  

Based on the Turkish Civil Code, Section 305, the adoptive parents must care for and provide education to the child for one year before an adoption can be finalized.  If families are found eligible at the end of the probation period they can finalize the adoption court procedure and register the child as their legal child.  

To facilitate this one-year period, a Child Care Contract is signed between the prospective adoptive parents and the Director of Social Services & Child Protection Agency in the related city.  Under Turkish law, the Director of Social Services and Child Protection is the legal guardian of the child and remains the legal guardian until the adoption is finalized.  

The Care Contract makes the prospective adoptive parents responsible for the child and stipulates that they must provide medical care should it become necessary. The family is allowed to take the child outside of Turkey but not for the purposes of adoption. It specifically states in the Care Contract that the adoptive parents may travel out of the country together with child with the consent of the child’s legal guardian and the knowledge of the City Social Services & Child Protection Agency and the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency before an adoption is finalized.  

The contract is valid until a Turkish judge authorizes a final adoption.  The child is then registered as the son/daughter of this adoptive family and has the same legal status as a biological child.  

According to the Turkish Civil Code Section 314:  

• All rights and responsibilities of the biological parents are transferred to the adoptive parent(s).   
• Adopted child becomes an heir of the adoptive parent(s). 
• If the adopted child is a minor, he/she takes the adoptive parent(s) last name.  If the adopted is an adult, he/she may take the last name of the adoptive parents during the adoption procedure if he/she wishes. 
• If the adopted minor is unable to make a preference and if he/she is adopted by both adoptive parents, the names of the adoptive parents are registered as the names of the parents in the child’s birth records. 
• Adopted child’s initial birth records and the adoptive parents’ birth records are kept together in order not hurt the adopted child’s inheritance and other rights and also to enable him/her to keep his/her family ties.  - Also the final adoption decision is registered at both  families birth records. 
• Adoption records, documents and no information can be disclosed unless there is acourt order or without the consent of the adopted child.  

A visa can not be issued before the probation period is over since a final adoption hasn't completed yet and Turkish law doesn't allow the chıld to be taken out of the country for adoption during that period.  

Under US immigration law, an IR-3 (orphan adopted abroad by U.S. citizen) visa can not  be issued unless/until there has been a full and final adoption, and an IR-4 (orphan to be adopted in U.S. by U.S. citizen) visa can not be issued unless/until the prospective adoptive parents have been granted legal custody of the child for purposes of emigration and adoption abroad.  

Applicants who submit their application are considered to accept all requirements related to the procedure.  In other words families are held responsible to follow through with the International Adoption criteria and also are responsible to complete the foreign county adoption procedures.  

Every year there are approximately 3000 families registered for adoption.  However every year there are only 450 children settled in suitable families.  

There are 3 categories of children who are eligible for adoption:  

1. Abandoned:  Children who are abandoned by their families right after their birth.  Since they are abandoned, they are admitted to orphanages by the Turkish National Police. These children are under the protection and custody of the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency.  There is no evidence or information about their past. 
2. Abandoned with consent: Children who are abandoned to the orphanage by their families with their consent.  Families give their consent at court and the social workers become legal guardians.  Information about children and family history is available for this category.   
3. Children who fall into the category of Turkish Civil Code, Section 311-312: Children whose parents are considered homeless.  Upon request of the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency, a judge decides to give the children’s custody to social workers.  

When  prospective adoptive parents choose to register with one of the categories explained above, they should wait until a suitable child in that category becomes available.  They cannot be considered for another category.  This may cause further procedural delays.  

In all three categories prospective parents could request a child’s background information from the adoption court.  The confidential background information about every child under process would be sent to the judge.  

Children who were adopted may request the confidential background information after reaching full legal age.  

An application form must be completed and filed by the prospective parent with his/her own handwriting.  It should be returned to the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency within one month by mail.  

The General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency should evaluate the application.  If the application is accepted the applicant receives written notification of the decision.  

The General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency does not provide any oral or written information to any requester other than the applicant.  

The prospective parent would also be notified when the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency requests a file to be prepared on behalf of the applicant family from the ISS.  If the family is not be contacted by ISS within six months they should notify the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency by letter.  

According to the law, the adoption procedure must be completed within certain periods of time.  It can be completed on time when ISS, the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency and the prospective family work in coordination.  The process would be terminated indefinitely, with no return, if the applicant family causes any delay.  Please contact the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency with the address or the fax above for any further questions.  

The American Embassy, the Consulate generals, and the Department of State stand ready to assist adoptive parents in any way possible--within the limits of our authority. Because no private agencies exist in Turkey to assist foreigners, U.S. citizens arriving in Turkey to finalize an adoption are advised to proceed carefully with all Republic of Turkey legal procedures. They should also work closely with the American Embassy, Immigrant Visa Unit in Ankara throughout the adoption process to ensure that the child selected will qualify for U.S. immigration benefits and that all the necessary Republic of Turkey civil documents are in order.  

Age and Civil Status Requirements:  The adoptive parent must be at least 30 years of age and child must have at least 18 years age difference; the child must spend 1 year with the adoptive parents(s) under his/her care; the couple may adopt together or separately, and they should be married for at least five years and must be at least 30 years of age.  Priority is given to childless, married couples, but, couples with children are not prohibited from adopting. If only one parent adopts the child, the other must give his or her consent. The adoptive parent may also be single.  

Adoption Agencies and Attorneys:  The U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security does not allow the use of powers of attorney for the purpose of signing the I-600 Petition to classify an orphan as an Immediate Relative.  

The only authorized office responsible for adoptions in Turkey is:

The General Directorate of Social Services and the Child Protection Agency

(T.C. Basbakanlik Sosyal Hizmetler ve Cocuk Esirgeme Kurumu Genel Mudurlugu).
Address: Anafartalar Cad. N: 70 Ulus Ankara, Turkey
Phone: 90-312-231 9665
Fax: 90-312-231 0650  

According to the officials you are not required to have a legal representative to start and process adoption in Turkey.  Families may face some problems like language and have difficulty to understand bureaucracy in Turkey.  Therefore we recommend families have a translator or an attorney with English language knowledge.  

Please visit the attorney list in the Embassy web site.  The web site address is “http://turkey.usembassy.gov/”   

Doctors:  The U.S. Embassy maintains current lists of doctors and sources for medicines, should either you or your child experience health problems while in Turkey.

Name & Address:  

Dr. Mehmet Ungan 
Atatürk Bulvarı, No:237/29  
Kavaklidere, Ankara 
Phone: 90-312-468 9541 
Hours: Mon-Fri   08:00-19:00; Saturday 08:00-17:00 

American Hospital
Guzelbahce Sokak Nisantasi, Istanbul
Phone: 90-212-311 2501-02; 90-212-311 2000
Hours: Mon-Fri 13:00; Saturday 10:00  

Turkey Documentary requirements:  Foreign country nationals who have residency permits to reside in Turkey for more than one year and the Turkish families who are residing out of Turkey can submit their applications directly to the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency.  Foreign country nationals should submit their applications to the authorized institutions in their respective countries.  

Foreign country nationals who are submitting statement to the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency to start an adoption procedure should be informed about certain requirements of this procedure.  This is also a requirement of the International Social Service (ISS).  

The prospective adoptive parents must contact the General Directorate of Social Service & Child Protection Agency in writing or in person.  The agency  sends a statement and a form to complete.

You may also be required to provide more documentation during the procedure (i.e. marriage certificate, birth record, financial documents, police clearance documents, health records, in some cases home study covers most of the information).  

Translation Requirements:  All documents not in English, must be accompanied by certified English translations.  The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states that the translation is accurate and the translator attesting to the accuracy of the translation.  The translation must also be accompanied by proof the translator is certified to translate.  

U.S. Immigration Requirements:  A Turkish child adopted by an American citizen must obtain an immigrant visa before he or she can enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. There are two distinct categories of immigrant visas available to children adopted by American citizens.  

A Previously Adopted Child. Section 101(b)(1)(E) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act defines an "adopted child" as one who was adopted under the age of 16 and who has already resided with, and in the legal custody of, the adoptive parent for at least two years. Parents who can demonstrate that their adopted child meets this requirement may file an I-130 petition with the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security (BCIS) having jurisdiction over their place of residence. Upon approval of the I-130 petition, the parents may apply for an immigrant visa for the child at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. American citizens who believe this category may apply to their adopted child should contact the U.S. Embassy in Ankara for more information.  

An Orphan. If an adopted child has not resided with the adoptive parent for two years (or if the child has not yet even been adopted) the child must qualify under section 101(b)(1)(F) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act in order to apply for an immigrant visa. The main requirements of this section are as follows: 

• The adoptive or prospective adoptive parent must be an American citizen;
• The child must be under the age of 16 at the time an I-600 Petition is filed with the BCIS on his or her behalf;  
• If the adoptive or prospective adoptive parent is married, his or her spouse must also be a party to the adoption;
• If the adoptive or prospective adoptive parent is single, he or she must be at least 25 years of age;

The child must be an orphan, as defined by U.S. regulations. Although the definition of an orphan found in many dictionaries is "A child whose parents are dead," U.S. immigration law and regulations provide for a somewhat broader definition. Children who do not qualify under this definition, however, may not immigrate to the U.S. as an orphan even if legally adopted by an American Citizen. The Department of State encourages Americans to consider if a particular child is an orphan according to U.S. immigration law and regulations before proceeding with an adoption. A detailed description of the orphan definition used by BCIS can be found on BCIS's web site .

U.S. Immigration Procedures for Orphans:

The Petition 

Adoptive and prospective adoptive parents must obtain approval of a Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative (Form I-600) from the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security (BCIS) before they can apply for an immigrant visa on behalf of an orphan. The adjudication of such petitions can be very time-consuming and parents are encouraged to begin the process well in advance.  

A prospective adoptive parent may file Form I-600A Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security (BCIS) office having jurisdiction over their place of residence. This form allows the most time-consuming part of the process to be completed in advance, even before the parent has located a child to adopt. In addition, a parent who has an approved I-600A may file an I-600 in person at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. 

Detailed information about filing these forms can be found on BCIS's web site. Americans who have adopted or hope to adopt a child from Turkey should request, at the time they file these forms, that BCIS notify the U.S. Embassy in Ankara as soon as the form is approved. Upon receipt of such notification, the Embassy will contact the parents and provide additional instructions on the immigration process. U.S. consular officers may not begin processing an orphan adoption case until they have received formal notification of approval from an BCIS office in the US.  

The Orphan Investigation  

One part of the petition process that BCIS cannot complete in advance is the "orphan investigation". An orphan investigation Form I-604 Report on Overseas Orphan Investigation) is required in all orphan adoption cases - even if an I-600 has already been approved - and serves to verify that the child is an orphan as defined by US immigration law. This investigation is performed by a consular officer at the time of the child's immigrant visa interview.  

Documents Needed for Immigrant Visa:  

Passport:  Full photocopy of passport.  The beneficiary’s passport must be valid for travel to the United States and must have at least eight months validity beyond the issuance date of the visa.  Children may be included in a parent's passport, but, if over the age of 16, they must have their photograph attached to the passport.   

Forms:  DS-230 Form Part I & II, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration.

Please do not leave any questions blank on the application forms. Questions that do not apply to the applicant’s particular situation should be answered “N/A” of “Non Applicable”.  

Birth Certificates:  One original and certified copy of the birth certificate of each person named in the application is required.  The certified copy of the birth certificate must either have the raised seal or rubber stamp of the vital statistics office or it must be originally signed.  Attorney certified copies without raised seals, rubber stamps or plain photocopies of birth certificates will not be accepted.  The certificate must state the date and place of birth and names of both parents.  Applicants born in a country other than their country of citizenship must present a birth-certificate from the country in which they were born.(“Nüfus Kayıt Örneği” if the applicant was born in Turkey.)  

Evidence of Financial Support: If visa category is IR-4 (orphan to be adopted in U.S. by U.S. citizen) petitioner must prepare a notarized Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, with the supplementary forms: W-2 and 1040 tax forms (for last three years), bank and other financial statements.  Form I-864 is not required if visa category is IR-3 (orphan adopted abroad by U.S. citizen) and child admits to the U.S. while still under age 18 and will reside in the United states with and in the custody of the adoptive U.S. citizen parent.  

Court Records:  Petitioner must present the court documents indicating the judge’s decision for the legal custody or adoption.  

Receipt:  The fee for an immigrant visa is $335.00 per person.  The fee must be deposited at any branch of TEB Bank (Türk Ekonomi Bankası) before the interview.  You will be required to submit the receipt at the time of your interview.  

Applicants who come for their interviews without a TEB Bank (Türk Ekonomi Bankası) receipt for $335.00 will not be accepted.  This may cause a delay in the processing of immigrant visas.  

Medical Report:  Before their final immigrant visa interview, all applicants are required to undergo a medical examination performed by one of several medical doctors authorized by this Embassy to administer the examination.  Beneficiaries are responsible for making their own arrangements for the medical examination with any of the physicians listed on the attached medical information sheet.  The beneficiary is also responsible for the cost of the examination.  A medical examination is also required for each accompanying child.  You will be required to submit your medical report to this office at the time of your interview.  Do not bring x-ray film to the Embassy.  

3 Color Photos:  The beneficiary’s full name and surname must be printed on the back of each photograph. Regardless of age, all U.S. Immigrant Visa applicants must present three un-retouched color photographs, approximately 1 ½ X 1 ½ inches in size, taken on a white background. The size of the image should be approximately 1 inch from the top of the hair to the neck.  The pictures must be taken in a ¾ view without earrings or similar accessories, headscarves or other items which may obstruct a full view of the applicant.  The photos must clearly show the right ear and the left eye.  Photographs must be taken within thirty (30) days of the application date. Applicants confused about special immigrant visa photographs can contact the experienced photographers listed below:  

Foto Akay 
Konur Sokak, No. 75/E
Bakanlıklar, Ankara
Phone:  90-312-418-7173

GÜVEN Color
Güvenlik Caddesi, No:69/A
Aşağı Ayrancı, Ankara
Phone:  90-312-427-5252

Royal Color
Güvenlik Caddesi, No:85
Aşağı Ayrancı, Ankara
Phone:  90-312-426-2751  

Other:  Adoptive parent must also bring the original home study, original marriage certificate, proof of termination of any previous marriage (certified copy of spouse's death certificate of divorce decree) U.S. passport and copies of the mentioned documents.  

U.S. Fees:  
There is an BCIS fee of $420 for an I-600 or I-600A petition. If you have a valid I-600A and file an I-600 within 18 months of the approval of the I-600A, no fee will be charged for the I-600 provided you are only petitioning for one child or for siblings.  

The fee for the immigrant visa is $404.00 and must be paid in U.S. dollars. The immigrant visa fee does not include medical examinations, costs of documents, the petition, etc. The U.S. Embassy does not accept personal checks or credit cards.  

The adopted child must have a medical examination performed by one of the U.S. Embassy panel physicians before the immigrant visa can be issued. The cost of this medical examination and accompanying immunizations must be paid by the adoptive parent(s).  Fees are as follows: blood test $30.00; chest x-ray $20.00; physician $50.00. Vaccination fees vary from $5.00 to $60.00 depending on age and vaccines required.  

The fee for notarial action when necessary is $50.00(authentication, true copy, etc.).  

Time Frame:  According to the Turkish Social Service Officials families can able to finalize the adoption court in couple of weeks once they complete one year probation period.  Obtaining a Turkish passport, a new birth certificate and U.S. visa process can take another 7-10 days after the adoption is finalized.  We can estimate 3-4 weeks time frame to complete the process, including obtaining the U.S. immigrant visa for the adoptive child.  

Turkish Embassy (and Consulates) In the United States:

Turkish Embassy
1714 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C 20036
Phone: 659-8200

Turkey also has Consulates in: 
1) Los Angeles, California (Consulate General)
2) Chicago, Illinois (CG)
3) New York, New York (CG)
4) Houston, Texas (CG)  

U.S. EMBASSY (CONSULATE) IN TURKEY:

American Embassy (only immigrant visa processing post in Turkey)
110 Ataturk Blvd.
Kavaklidere

06100 Ankara, Turkey
Phone: 90-312-455 5555
Fax: 90-312-468 6103

Web Address: http://turkey.usembassy.gov 

American Consulate General Istanbul (does not process immigrant visa)
Mesrutiyet Caddesi No: 104/10
Tepebasi 80050 Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: 90-212-251 3602
Fax: 90-212-251 3632  

Additional Information:  Prospective adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to consult BCIS publication M-249, The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children, as well as the Department of State publication, International Adoptions.  

Applying for U.S. Citizenship for an Adopted child:  Contact the BCIS for further proof of U.S. Citizenship and how to adjust the status of the adopted child.  

Questions:  Specific questions regarding adoption in Turkey may be addressed to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Turkey. You may also contact the Office of Children's Issues, U.S. Department of State, Room L-127, SA-1, 2401 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20522, Tel: (202) 736-7000 with specific questions.  

Information is also available 24 hours a day from several sources:

Telephone - Office of Children's Issues - recorded information regarding changes in adoption procedures and general information, (202) 736-7000.- State Department Visa Office - recorded information concerning immigrant visas for adoptive children, (202) 663-1225.- Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security - recorded information for requesting immigrant visa application forms, 1-800-870-FORM (3676).  

Automated fax - contains the full text of the office's international adoption information flyers and general information brochure, International Adoptions. From the telephone on your fax machine, call (202) 647-3000.  

Internet - the Consular Affairs web site, at: Deaprtment of State Travel site contains international adoption information flyers and the International Adoptions brochure.  BCIS web site

Other information:  Consular Information Sheets - published by the State Department and available for every country in the world, providing information such as the location of the U.S. Embassy, health conditions, political situations, and crime reports. The information is available 24 hours a day by calling the State Department's Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. The recordings are updated as new information becomes available, and are also accessible through the automated fax machine and the internet web site, as above.